Violent incident at Albany High School

This is a comment I wrote on the Times Union’s main blog, in response to the news article today:

I do have a child at Albany High School. Any incident of violence in school is serious and requires attention and involvement by all to collaboratively develop solutions. Let’s hope that process will continue to unfold in Albany High School. I must say, however, that the school is generally safe, that there are many wonderful things that happen at Albany High School every day, and that the staff – particularly since the start of school this year – has been present, visible and engaged with the students in a manner designed to increase safety. I am not saying all is okay, just that incidents on one day do not tell the whole story of what the school is like. Also, any approach that singles out the “schools” or Dr. Joseph as the source of the problem or attempts to paint a picture that this is a problem that can solved by simple-minded police intrusion into the school is misleading. The problem of youth violence in the City of Albany is not caused by the schools. There are deeper, more complex issues. Solutions similarly have to be deeper and more complex. How about addressing the poor housing stock available to many residents in Albany, or the crumbling sidewalks and streets (in some parts of the City), or the lack of decent jobs, or the lack of suitable playgrounds in many parts of the City, or the absence of affordable health-care, or the perception that the police routinely harass young African-Americans on the streets, or a hundred other important issues, including that our schools need to work more effectively and be more succesful at reaching some of the kids and families. If we seriously want to adress the problem of youth violence, then let’s seriously look at the whole picture – which includes, but is not limited to, the schools – and think and work creatively to solve these problems. Just blaming the schools is ridiculous and, in fact, is so absurd that it can only be explained as coming from some political motivation to shift blame and scapegoat the schools. Who benefits from that?

3 Responses

“Let’s hope that the process will continue to unfold….” That’s what’s bothering me the most. Parents sat back last year as week after week our kids’school day was disrupted by unruly behavior – we listened to the school administration with hope that the problems would be addressed. It is just Sept and we have had two incidents on two concurrent Friday’s that warranted police intervention. Enough is enough. I try to stay informed and I still cannot figure out what substantive plans have been put in place to resolve this problem. An alternative program was established at SUNY and then disbanded w/in a few months of operation. Security at the school are now wearing jackets. Children are being searched. All I know is that the kids who want to go to school are the ones constantly making accomodations for those few who are causing the disruptions. Its these kids who have to tolerate the constant noise in the hallways. Its these kids who cannot go to their lockers in the morning or be late for class because security staff keep them on the first floor during morning searches each day. What’s with that? For years now, I have observed this district’s administrative behavior and it continues to make me feel unsettled. It is apparent to me that there is a major disconnect between what I hear from executive staff and what I hear from teachers. I wish the administration would take more time to listen to these teachers who, in most cases, I have the upmost respect for. These are the people who are truly inspiring my children from day to day. No – what happens are – their jobs are reassigned, they have to answer our questions about whacky testing policies, etc, etc , etc. I’m tired of the politics, I’m tired of the infighting between board members, I’m tired of the district and its followers blaming the Mayor and the press, and I’m tired of people not ackowledging we have a gang problem in our city, even if its just kids. The disruption at Albany High was out-of-control last year and after an entire summer w/ time to work thru some of these issues, here we go again. This is a shame.

If, in an effort to ensure safety in Albany schools, we must address the poor housing stock available to many residents in Albany, or the crumbling sidewalks and streets (in some parts of the City), or the lack of decent jobs, or the lack of suitable playgrounds in many parts of the City, or the absence of affordable health-care, or the perception that the police routinely harass young African-Americans on the streets, or a hundred other important issues”, then perhaps we should simply disband the Albany School District and send the children to the Guilderland, Colonie, and Bethlehem Districts.

Another option would be to abolish the Albany School District (and all other local school districts) and secure authority to establish a County-wide district. Still too, we could abolish the Albany School District and send all of the children to charter schools.

These options would address the obvious problem without getting sidetracked trying to address “a hundred other important issues”.

Dear Classic Male,
I don’t understand your comment. My point is that these issues are complex and that much is, indeed, beyond the scope of what a school or school district can address. That does not mean, and I don’t think I said, that the schools are “off the hook”. In fact, there is, of course, much that the schools can do. Our schools in Albany are doing alot, and I support many of the initiaives of the School District to address issues of safety and issues of increasing academic achievement. Obviously, much more can and must be done. If you wish to be part of constructive change, that is great. If you just want to complain, then, frankly, that is not very helpful.